Why do we need to ReNature the South Downs?
The South Downs National Park is home to some incredibly beautiful and rare habitats and wildlife.
Our chalk grassland has up to 40 species in one square metre and our lowland heath is rarer than rainforest and home to all of our native reptiles and amphibians.
Even here, nature is under pressure, and it needs our help.
Since it came into being, the National Park Authority has worked with local partners to deliver ambitious projects, bringing together land managers, conservationists, planners and volunteers to conserve and enhance the landscape.
These partnerships have not only restored habitats and reintroduced keystone species but also helped people better understand the history of the South Downs and the special role people have played in its changing character.
At the moment, 25% of the National Park is managed for nature. Our goal is to increase that to 33% by 2030.
This will add an extra 13,000 hectares managed for nature. But, we don’t want to stop there!
We want to ensure that there really is nature everywhere, and so we want the remaining 67% to be nature friendly.
Using our experience and best practice from previous projects, we will support those projects that will help us reach 33% of land for nature by 2030.
We are going to be working with farmers, communities, local authorities and other partners to make this happen.
Together we can create a nature network spreading across the South Downs National Park making this an even better place for nature and people, where wildlife can flourish, habitats thrive and where everyone can experience nature and wildlife at their best.
Simply put, we want nature everywhere, for everyone.
We cannot do it without your help.